A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » Honda
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Honda Mean Mower hits 60 mph in 4 seconds, cuts to 130 mph [w/video]



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 20th 13, 12:23 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.honda
MummyChunk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 174
Default Honda Mean Mower hits 60 mph in 4 seconds, cuts to 130 mph [w/video]

From AB




Innovation, pushing boundaries and creating extraordinary pieces of
engineering is what Honda is all about. So when Honda (UK) teamed up
with their title winning British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
partner , Team Dynamics , to create what is believed to be the world's
fastest lawn mower , you know it's going to be special.

Meet Mean Mower...
The brief for Project Mean Mower was very straightforward. To build a
super-fast mower which retained its original look , but, crucially ,
could still cut grass. The staggering result is a machine capable of
reaching an estimated 130mph and 0-60 in just four seconds with an ear
splitting roar reaching 130db.





The Birth of Mean Mower
Team Dynamics re-engineered a Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor from the
ground-up, adding an all-new fabricated chassis , custom-made from
4130 chromoly , to provide a strong , safe but very light platform. A
1000cc engine from a Honda VTR Firestorm was used , along with a
bespoke suspension and wheels from an ATV.

Every effort has been made to retain as much of the look of the
original mower as possible. The cutter deck was custom-made in
fibre-glass , to reduce weight , while , in a stroke of pure genius ,
the grass bag provides a happy home for the fuel tank , a high
capacity oil cooler and a secondary water cooling radiator.

The ability to still cut grass was also a key element of the brief ,
and the super-fast mower still can, admirably , thanks to two electric
motors on the cutter deck , spinning 3mm steel cutting cable at an
incredible 4000rpm. The mower can cut grass at around 15mph , more
than double the flat-out speed of the original HF2620 from which it is
derived.

Based on feedback from Honda Yuasa Racing drivers , three times BTCC
champion Matt Neal and reigning champion Gordon Shedden , the mower
features a custom-made paddle shift six-speed gear system.
Additionally it has a custom-made Cobra sports seat , a Scorpion
exhaust system and a steering rack taken from a Morris Minor.

The result of this remarkable feat of engineering is a lawn mower
set-up and geared to achieve a top speed in excess of 130mph ,
weighing just 140kgm , producing 96Nm of torque and an incredible PTW
ratio of 532bhp/tonne. In testing to date the mower has topped 100mph
on a circuit , belting out a remarkable 130db at three-quarter RPM and
98db at idle.

Kate Saxton, Manager – Corporate Affairs, at Honda (UK) comments:
"Honda is a great believer in collaboration, pushing boundaries
and creating extraordinary pieces of engineering. This project
provided the perfect opportunity to not only highlight the breadth of
our product offering but to also promote our sporty heritage and
support our reputation as an innovative company. Above all else, we
love a challenge!"

Safety is paramount to the project, so every effort has been made to
make the mower stable and secure. To achieve optimum balance ATV
wheels have been used – ideal because ATV racing is held on rough
off-road tracks. Super-soft tyres ensure optimum grip and excellent
handling on the tarmac.

Every effort has been made to use Honda parts, where possible,
including brakes and several motorcycle components. Almost everything
else has been custom-made by Team Dynamics and its partners.

Team Dynamics Team Manager, Pete Crolla, concludes:
"One of the key challenges is that this has never been done
before, to our knowledge, and so there are few learnings to call upon.
From an engineering perspective, retaining the look of the mower, and
the ability to still cut grass were the biggest challenge."

Mean Mower's Vital Stats

Engine: VTR 1000F Firestorm (stock)
Size: 1000cc
Power: 109hp
0-60: 4 seconds (est.)
MPG: 40 (est.) (when cutting)
Max. speed: 133 (est.)
Optimum RPM: 9,000
PTW ratio: 532bhp/tonne
Torque: 96Nm
Body: Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor
Chassis: Chromoly 4130 tubing (Custom-made)
Weight: 140kg (approx.)
Length: 2400mm
Wheelbase: 1425mm
Width: 1150mm
Wheels & Tyres
Rear: Maxxis/Goldspeed 10 x 10
Front: Maxxis/Goldspeed 6 x 10
Pressu .9 bar
Cutting
Cutter deck: Fibre-glass (Custom-made)
Motors: 2 x 15amp, 4000rpm
Blades: 2 x 3mm steel cutting cable
Other
Brakes: Honda TRX420 ATV
Steering: Morris Minor steering rack
Gears: Paddle shift
Fuel tank capacity: 15 litres
Exhaust system: Scorpion
Instrumentation: Motorcycle
Seat: Cobra (Custom-made)

View the attachments for this post at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.p...2937#233812937

Ads
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electric LawnMower ,Cordless Lawn Mower ,Gasoline Lawn Mower ,Hand Push Cylinder Mower [email protected] Technology 2 September 29th 07 06:13 AM
Video: drunk driver hits pedestrian MLOM Driving 0 March 4th 07 05:56 AM
About a Honda GCV160 lawn mower motor Gaetan Mailloux Technology 5 June 22nd 06 03:27 PM
About a Honda GCV160 lawn mower motor Gaetan Mailloux General 0 June 22nd 06 04:26 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.